Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
Regular Session
June 29, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
Rabuffo, Riley, Burns
Mr. Rabuffo announced that Kevin Paicos, Town Administrator, will be deployed with the National Guard, and at this time, due to security reasons, no other information is available.
Robert Falvey read an essay written by Alexandra VanDine a former Hingham Student
reflecting on the exceptional public education opportunities she was afforded at Hingham High. Ms. Van Dine expressed her concerns that budget cuts would eliminate extra curricular activities and it would lessen the impact of a Hingham High education.
Selectmen’s Reports - Ms. Burns advised that in accordance with the Open Meeting Law changes the Town Clerk will now be posting agendas in the Police Station Lobby. “General Business” is not longer acceptable as a description of the agendaany longer, and postings of meetings must list the items that will be discussed. Mr. Rabuffo announced that D.J. McKinnon through his work at the Shipyard is making a donation of a 40 foot flag pole and Jackass Park is being considered for the placement of this flag pole. Mr. Rabuffo has attended meetings with Fire Chief Duff to further clarify the position of firefighting with regard to the Hersey House. Chief Duff has reaffirmed his decision on this matter.
Joint Meeting with Recreation Commission to fill 2 vacancies - Recreation Commissioners Frank Jones, Bud Thorne, and Frank Belyea were present. Mr. Rabuffo announced that the 5 candidates were interviewed last week and that 4 votes were needed to confirm an appointment. Mr. Jones read a letter from Jill Drohan recommending that Bob Keyes be appointed due to his long time service on the Recreation Commission and in consideration of all the votes he received at the election.
Mr. Jones nominated Bob Keyes
Frank Belyea – No
Mr. Thorne – Yes
Mr. Rabuffo – No
Ms. Burns – No
Mr. Riley – No Mr. Jones commented that this is a disservice to the Town.
Ms. Burns nominated Paul Paget
Mr. Thorne – yes
Mr. Belyea –yes
Mr. Riley – yes
Mr. Jones - yes
Mr. Rabuffo – yes
Mr. Jones nominated Trevor Byrne
Ms. Burns – yes
Mr. Thorne – yes
Mr. Riley – yes
Mr. Belyea – yes
Mr. Rabuffo – yes
Mr. Belyea explained that his decision was an organizational decision not a personal one. It was based on cultivating and providing a succession of future leadership in order for the Commission to perform as a governing body.
Voted - to appoint Paul Paget and Trevor Byrne as interim Recreation Commissioners to serve until the next town election on April 30, 2011.
Mr. Thorne strongly expressed his opposition of the Selectmen’s unanimous vote not to appoint Robert Keyes.
Developing a Vision for the Town - Dennis Friedman suggested that the Town should be thinking about itstheir goals and priorities and should start with what they Board would like to envision for the town in five to ten years. Mr. Friedman advised that as the Town moves forward, we need to ensure that the financial and funding decisions are aligned with our vVision and vValues so that we don’t look back with regret. He further advised that it is all too easy to make short term decisions that do not optimize the use of our limited resources of both time and money. He pointed out that some of the areas to be considered are, housing and demographic diversity, level of residential and commercial development and what level of tax receipts do we want to generate from commercial property, how to balance revenue needs with the desirability of oOpen sOpen Space, what level of excellence do we want for schools, public safety and all other town departments, what degree of financial strength and stability do we aspire to have, balance between maintaining historic authenticity, and how “green” do we want to be.
Mr. Friedman recommended that a relatively small group, perhaps consisting of 7-10, people be appointed to brainstorm these possibilities. He recommended that a “brainstorming session” be held lasting about 4 to 6 hours. After a “brainstorming session” of this length of time it would likely be clear as to the value of pursuing this project, and how the Selectmen would like to proceed.
Mr. Rabuffo explained he had participated in these types of sessions in the corporate field and believes they have merit as people are kept focused only on the issues presented. Ms. Burns expressed concerns that in a democratic institution like the town, there would be many more than 7 to 10 people who would like to participate in such a discussion. She felt that the process would need to involve community discussion on a mass scale if the goal was to develop a vision for the town as a while.there could be some stumbling blocks, as town government differs from the corporate field, because ultimately any decisions are the result of town meeting. She suggested that there is need to reach common grounds and there should be some meetings to discuss a theme. Mr. Riley also had concerns about the process of selecting the right players. Mr. Riley also said if this idea was implemented he would like to see input from Town Department Heads. The Board expressed their thanks and appreciation to Mr. Friedman for his time and effort. Rabuffo agreed that there needs to be a lot more discussion of this issue before the Board of Selectmen can act on this matter.
Police Physician
Chief Mills requested that Dr. Jack Richmond be appointed as Hingham’s physician to the Police Department. He has met the criteria for Hands on Drugs Recognition and can recognize what drugs cause what impairments. Chief Mills explained that Dr. Richmond is qualified to testify in court as an expert witness on drug recognition. His technique has greatly aided in the prosecution of drug offenders by adding credibility to the town’s testimony. Dr. Richmond would be working pro-bono and would not be a practicing physician to any police staff. The Chief assured the Board that Dr. Richmond’s only role would be to testify as an expert witness and provide training.
Voted - unanimously to appoint Dr. Richmond as the Police Physician for a one year term expiring in 2011.
Selectmen’s Goals and Objective for 2011
The Selectmen acknowledged that Mr. Paicos was unable to complete some of their projected goals, as he was overburdened with too many projects, making it impossible for him to complete. Since Mr. Paicos is to be deployed it was agreed to prioritize the uncompleted projects. Mr. Rabuffo will request Mr. Paicos to let the Board know what he expects to accomplish and in what time frame. The first priorities will be the Dispatch Center and Health Insurance. Mr. Paicos will be requested to seek the aid of subordinates to help accomplish the landfill capping and stabilizing the House House. The Board will request the Traffic Committee to keep an eye on the Cushing/Main/South Pleasant Streets intersection. Ms. Burns suggested that other items such as Public Access Cable, Relationship of Elected and Appointed Boards, Future of Plymouth County and Charter Commissions, Military Leave Policy, Open Space Committee Future and Warrant Article creating stabilization fund for meals and tax revenue be listed on future agendas. Ms. Burns agreed to make a refined list for the Board.
Voted - to approve an Intra-Department Transfer request in the amount of $6,000.00 from the DPW Landfill Salaries Budget to the DPW Landfill Trash Expense.
Voted - to approve the request of the Sewer Department for an Intra-Department Transfer in the amount of $33,831 to cover town overhead charges.
Voted - to award Sealcoating, Inc. a contract for Micro-Surfacing & Random-Crack Sealing by Fiber Reinforced Method in accordance with the bid package and specifications, in the amount of $444,203.00 .
Voted - to appoint Liza O’Reilly a member of the School Master Plan Review Committee.
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Affordable Housing Trust for two year terms:
Susan Crowley
Laura Burns
Rev. Gary Ludwig
Blake Auchincloss
Voted - to reappoint Joseph Fisher a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring in 2013.
Voted - to reappoint the following Associate Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one year term:
William Ramsey
Mario Romania, Jr.
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Bare Cove Park Committee for terms expiring in 2013:
Patricia Coyle
Charles Harvey
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Beautification Commission for terms expiring in 2013:
Rosemarie Durkin
Alyce Nobis
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Cable TV Advisory Committee for terms expiring in 2013:
James Dellot
Eric Connerly
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Conservation Commission for terms expiring in 2013:
Robert Perry
Carolyn Nielsen
Voted - to reappoint Kathleen Curley a member of the Country Club Management Committee for a term expiring in 2013.
Voted - to reappoint Stephen Kelsch a member of the Development and Industrial Commission for a term expiring in 2015.
Voted - to reappoint Nancy Mackay a member of the Historic Districts Commission for a term expiring in 2013.
Voted - to reappoint Noel Ripley, Jr. a member of the Historical Commission for a term expiring in 2013.
Voted - to reappoint Betty Tower Registrar of Voters for a term expiring in 2013.
Voted - to reappoint the following members of the Scholarship Fund Committee for terms expiring in 2013:
Roger Nastou
Thomas Hagstrom
Kurt Weisenbeck
Matthew Welch
Adjourned: 9:05 pm Marilyn A. Harrington
Clerk pro tem